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7 reasons Toronto is the next big city you should visit

They have much more than just maple syrup in Canada, you know.

HOW MUCH DO you know about Toronto?

Probably not as much as you should. Toronto, the province capital of Ontario, is the most populous city in Canada – it’s multicultural, cosmopolitan urban centre on a beautiful lake, full of cool things to do. A lot of people simply don’t know how much Toronto has to offer for a big city break.

If you want to get ahead of the curve and get off the beaten track then you should definitely be checking out what little-known delights Toronto has tucked away for you to find.

1. Architecture

Toronto has a beautiful skyline. As Canada’s commercial centre, many of the country’s largest firms and banks are based there and the Financial District contains many of the city’s most prominent buildings. The city also boasts the Art Gallery of Ontario, redesigned by famous architect Frank Gehry.

Toronto Skyline The skyline - taken from Leslie St spit veggiefrog veggiefrog

Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum The Royal Ontario Museum featuring the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, designed by Daniel Libeskind The City of Toronto The City of Toronto

2. Cinematic cityscape

Due to Toronto’s beautiful cityscape, it is often used as a location for Hollywood blockbusters that are set in Chicago or New York. Think Patrick Bateman stalked the streets of Manhattan? Well, actually, American Psycho was filmed in Toronto – as well as the movie Chicago, Good Will Hunting and Get Rich or Die Tryin’.

trono Guess where? Pinewood Group Pinewood Group

3. Birthplace of stars

Toronto has given the world a disproportionate amount of famous people – many of whom you initially might assume are American were actually born in Canada. Proud Toronto stars include Drake, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Will Arnett and Eugene Levy.

AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

4. Multiculturalism

Toronto is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the entire world. Over 140 languages are spoken there – with 30 per cent of Toronto’s residents speaking a language other than French or English.

Anton Bielousov Anton Bielousov

And this multiculturalism has led to…

5. Amazing food

As Toronto is such a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities, they have varied and brilliant cuisine on offer. Plus, they boast traditional Canadian foods too – like poutine, peameal Canadian bacon and, of course, the humble maple syrup.

Stewed beef short ribs Stewed beef short ribs from Linda Modern Thai heatherjoan heatherjoan

6. Festival ready

Toronto is home to North America’s largest street festival – Caribana, a celebration of Caribbean culture. 2 million people come to Toronto’s shores for it every year, with 1.3 million attending its final parade. It lasts for two weeks and starts this year on the 31st of July.

rb3m rb3m

7. Skiing and Niagara are just a hop and a skip away

For the more adventurous – the kind of people who are looking for something a little more intense than just a city break – Toronto still has lots to offer. You can ski in lots of resorts just outside the city, or take a trip to nearby Niagara to see the famous waterfall.

Jorge in Brazil Jorge in Brazil

It’s never been easier to hop over the pond. Aer Lingus will fly direct to Toronto from the 12th of April from €239 each way including taxes and charges. That means it’s now even more worthwhile and easy to explore everything the city has to offer. Check out how you could fly for less today at aerlingus.com.

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38 Comments
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    Mute James
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    May 17th 2021, 10:04 PM

    The Labour party, always well meaning in opposition, talk the talk until the get in to government the wou6 make any right wing party proud .

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    Mute TheMinisterForCraic
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    May 17th 2021, 10:13 PM

    How do I run for the election? I could do with a 6 figure salary and absolutely no consequences for telling lies or doing anything wrong in my job. #VoteMe

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    Mute Tessa Madden
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    May 17th 2021, 10:42 PM

    @TheMinisterForCraic: and expenses so you can buy lunch for your cronies without needing receipts!

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    Mute TheMinisterForCraic
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    May 17th 2021, 11:14 PM

    @Tessa Madden: I’ll buy everyone who votes for me lunch. I’ll also promise you anything you want just for your vote. Then when I get in I’ll do whatever I want in terms of decisions, I’ll ignore all of the promises I said and I’ll fill my pockets as much as I can in this short time in charge because I couldn’t careless about the future of Ireland, the future of my own family is all I care about it. #VoteMe

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    Mute Paul Shepherd
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    May 18th 2021, 11:24 AM

    @TheMinisterForCraic: not to mention a fat pension for life after the gravy train reaches the terminus.

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    Mute This time its personable!
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    May 17th 2021, 10:03 PM

    Ivana Back? Is she new, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of her or of her having an opinion no one asked.

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    Mute Neil Neart
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    May 18th 2021, 12:04 AM

    @This time its personable!: Poor Ivana. God love her. She should cop on and get a real job.

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    Mute M. Murphy
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    May 17th 2021, 10:21 PM

    Jesus labour are the gift that keep on giving ha. Alan Kelly in charge and all of a sudden then thobk they have a conscience. Would make ya possibly get them your No.4 vote. Almost. God love her hasn’t a hope and either do FG on retaining the seat, with their voice of a generation ( with supreme Court parents and grandparents) candidate. Both really understand the working man

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    Mute pat seery
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    May 17th 2021, 10:30 PM

    Another Has Been

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    Mute Paul Jude Redmond
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    May 18th 2021, 12:39 AM

    @pat seery: you have to be someone to start with before you become a has been…

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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    May 18th 2021, 8:13 AM

    @pat seery: Very poor grammar. “Another was”.

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    Mute Conor McNamara
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    May 18th 2021, 9:47 AM

    @Paul Jude Redmond: A neverwasser

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    Mute Jules
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    May 17th 2021, 10:07 PM

    If people don’t get out and vote, nothing will change.

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    Mute The Grand Nagus
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    May 17th 2021, 10:12 PM

    @Jules:
    Vote for who?

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    Mute Jules
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    May 17th 2021, 10:28 PM

    @The Grand Nagus: whoever you choose, but vote. The generally low turnout of voters perpetuates the poor standard of government

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    Mute JongaFe
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    May 18th 2021, 6:19 AM

    @Jules: no it’s the candidates that perpetuates the poor stand of government!

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    Mute Jess Delahunt
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    May 18th 2021, 7:39 AM

    @JongaFe: it’s both

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    Mute Sheila McNulty
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    May 17th 2021, 10:45 PM

    Can’t stand listening to her, still trying to get into Government hopefully not a hope

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    May 17th 2021, 11:41 PM

    Labour’s vision of Ireland became FGs version of Ireland when in government. Reduced to six seats , thats when they discovered the road to Damascus moment..

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    Mute Locojoe
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    May 17th 2021, 11:51 PM

    Just a question. Has Ivana won a “popular vote” election in the past?

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    Mute Paul Jude Redmond
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    May 18th 2021, 12:35 AM

    Some people just can’t take no for an answer

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    Mute Tuesday Paddy
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    May 17th 2021, 10:05 PM

    Serial loser going to lose another election.

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    Mute Valthebear
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    May 18th 2021, 7:03 AM

    Another well heeled socialist.. Like Mickey D’s daughter, if you can’t win a real election take a handy number in the Senate spouting oh so progressive platitudes that mean nothing. Our political class are useless. Bacik offers nothing only soundbites for affluent liberals. Labour lost touch with working people a long time ago.

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    Mute Henry O'Brien
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    May 18th 2021, 6:14 AM

    There hasn’t been a good leader of the Labour Party since Dick Spring, Ivana puts her name forward in every election that arises, seanad, council, presidentdency and now have another go at becoming a TD, which she has done enough time and not be elected, this by-election is in constituency where I live, personally I can’t see her been elected, certainly not by residents who live in the working class areas such as myself.

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    Mute Shane McGrath
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    May 17th 2021, 10:38 PM

    Zzzzzzzz

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    Mute Fran O'Keeffe
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    May 17th 2021, 10:32 PM

    You have to hopes no hope and Bob hope

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    CASO
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    Mute CASO
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    May 17th 2021, 10:47 PM

    Absolutely useless person. Chocolate teapot springs to mind. Never forget labour cutting the ribbon on a soup kitchen.

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    Mute Cookie
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    May 18th 2021, 8:45 AM

    Bacik has never been elected. That is not going to change.
    As she takes a 70,000eur a year salary from taxpayers for her unelected position of senator, she can properly be regarded as a thief.
    The Seanad is a stain on Irish democracy.

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    Mute Rob Jones
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    May 17th 2021, 10:42 PM

    Bacik is too smart for her own good. Lacks personality. You would never win an arguement against her. Pity as she got bags of potential.

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    Mute Ross McBride
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    May 17th 2021, 11:13 PM

    @Rob Jones: if she was that great she wouldn’t have failed to be elected in any of her 3 previous attempts at a Dail seat.

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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    May 18th 2021, 8:18 AM

    @Rob Jones: Being an excellent lawyer doesn’t make her a good public representative. She should stick to law and teaching. She has no chance. Labour is a dead party to the working class after IPhone-Joan.

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    Mute John Hagin Meade
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    May 18th 2021, 1:48 PM

    @Paul Whitehead: “Labour is a dead party to the working class after IPhone-Joan.” Don’t forget Alan Kelly and Eamon ‘Labour’s way or Frankfort’s Way’ Gilmore. No way Labour…Just go away.

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    Mute Virgil
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    May 18th 2021, 8:55 AM

    @Billy Big Baws: the comment about her name is uncalled for. It’s a Czech name i think

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    Mute damien mac aodha
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    May 18th 2021, 9:54 AM

    A health and welfare service from CABLE to the grave ??? So when does this service become available?

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    Mute Virgil
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    May 18th 2021, 8:57 AM

    Bacik is head and shoulders in intellect above most Irish politicians which means of course she’s never elected. I’m amazed she’s never got in somewhere. I’d vote for her if I was in DB South. I don’t always agree with her but at least she has ideas

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    Mute Collitov
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    May 18th 2021, 10:22 AM

    Whatever your views on the Labour Party Ivana Bacik is a good opreator with a long track record on social issues and would be a great addition to the Dáil. She does not deserve the negativity on show in these comments.

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    Mute Corkonian In Dublin
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    May 18th 2021, 9:32 AM

    Any prospective candidate talking about house prices from this constituency smacks of hypocrisy.

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    Mute Nick Caffrey
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    May 18th 2021, 9:00 AM

    @Billy Big Baws: Igno rant, rac ist lo ut.

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    Mute Darren Carroll
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    May 18th 2021, 6:29 PM

    She does know and remember labours vision changes when they get into government..what was it… labours way not frankfurts way

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